United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is annually observed across the world on the 21st August to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
- The day also aims to pay tribute to all the victims of the global curse of terrorism, at home and worldwide.
21st August 2023 marks the 6th commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
The 2023 theme of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is: “Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful Future.”
Background:
i.The Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/RES/17/8 of 16th June 2011, proposed the “Proclamation of 19 August of every year as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism”.
ii.On 19the December 2017, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/72/165 and proclaimed the 21st of August of every year as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
iii.The first International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism was observed on 21st August 2018.
Significance:
i.The day aims to encourage the UN Member States to have the primary responsibility to support victims of terrorism and support their rights.
ii.It aslo provides technical assistance and capacity-building to Member States and victims’ associations in better addressing the needs of victims of terrorism.
8th Review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy:
i.On 22nd June 2023, the Member States undertook the 8th biennial review of the strategy, and UNGA adopted it without a vote resolution (A/RES/77/298).
ii.It underlined the importance of the protection of terrorism victims’ rights, in particular of women, children and those affected by sexual and gender-based violence committed by terrorists.
Note: The 9th review of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy in 2026 will then coincide with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Strategy.
Pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy:
- Measures to address the conditions helpful to the spread of terrorism.
- Measures to prevent and fighting terrorism.
- Measures to build States’ capacity to prevent and fight terrorism, and to strengthen the role of the UN system in that regard.
- Measures to ensure respect for human rights for all, and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism.
2023 Event: Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Better Future:
i.A high-level event entitled ‘Legacy: Finding Hope and Building a Peaceful Future’ was broadcasted on 21st August 2023 on UN Web TV, to mark the 6th commemoration of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
- The UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the event, which featured opening remarks by Mr Vladimir Voronkov, the Under-Secretary-General for the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
- The pre-recorded event also featured testimonies of victims/survivors of terrorism from India, Uganda, the United States of America (USA), and the United Nations, who shared their experiences.
ii.The “Memories” exhibition is on display in the Visitor’s Lobby of UN Headquarters in New York, USA from 20th July 2023 to 1st September 2023 to commemorate the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
- The exhibition is part of the activities organised by the Global Victims of Terrorism Programme, a flagship programme of UNOCT and its Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).
About United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT):
Under-Secretary-General– Vladimir Voronkov
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established on– 15 June 2017
